EP1172475B1 - Apparatus for catching and/or separating laundry - Google Patents

Abstract

The intermediate storage (36) is associated with the stocking means of the unit, preferably a sack. When the intermediate storage (36) is in a loading position, laundry items can be conveyed into it from above. The storage is located laterally above a funnel (35) under a gripper (23), which is moved up and down by a pressure cylinder (19).

Description

The invention relates to devices for separating and / or gripping laundry items according to the preamble of claim 1.

Washed laundry usually leaves a washing machine heaped. Before the laundry so coming from a washing machine further treatments go through in the laundry area, for example, be mangled, the heaps of washing machine leaving (still wet) laundry items isolated become. It is desired, this separation of the laundry or other to mechanize textile objects.

US 4 036 365 A discloses such a device with a Storage means for laundry items of a laundry pile according to the Preamble of claim 1.

On this basis, the invention has the object, devices for reliable and efficient gripping and / or separation of items of laundry to accomplish.

An apparatus for solving the problem has the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the storage means from which the items of laundry are removed individually are assigned to at least one cache. The cache can with Laundry items to be charged while still from the storage means laundry items be removed. From the cache the laundry items can be quickly supplied to the storage means, without causing the process of occasional removal of laundry from the storage medium interrupted must become. In this way, the storage means is both simple and time-saving with new laundry loadable. The storage means can Laundry items are fed from the buffer when the last one Laundry item is removed from the storage means. But it is conceivable that Storing means to supply new laundry items from the cache, when there are still pieces of laundry in the storage means. This is without special Control measures always ensure that a sufficient number of laundry items is in the storage means.

Another device for the Further development of the device described above, has the features of the claim 4 on. By changing the shape of the storage means, it is also possible then, if still a relatively small number of laundry items in the storage means is located, to remove individual laundry items. To this end In particular, the shape of the storage means is changed so that this receives a relatively strong funnel-shaped training.

Preferably, the storage means has at least one flexible wall. Thus, the shape of the storage means can be changed easily and effectively, by moving the stocker up and down. While in a lowered Starting position the stocking agent partially rests on a support, it features over an at least partially level bottom with a large capacity for many items of laundry. If, however, the storage means is raised by the Floor of the same is moved away from the pad, receives the flexibly trained Storage means a funnel-shaped bottom, which causes the Waeestücke automatically get into the middle of the storage means and thereby also the last Laundry items can be automatically picked and separated.

A device for solving the above-mentioned problem, wherein it is a development of the aforementioned device is, has the features of claim 7. Accordingly, it is provided, the storage means at least periodically to move or oscillate, in particular to shake or shake. This also ensures that the laundry items, in particular the last items of laundry, get into the middle of the storage means and from there can be reliably taken and removed individually. Especially is effective shaking or otherwise periodic moving the Storage means in connection with a shape-variable storage means. This allows a flexible storage means against the resistance of the therein laundry in a changed shape, in particular a to Middle and down towards strongly funnel-shaped tapered shape, be brought.

Shaking or otherwise periodic movement of the Storage means can be achieved by jerking or discontinuous operated lifting means of the storage means or by separate vibration generator, For example, imbalance drives and / or linear movements exporting Pressure fluid system. The pressure medium organs can be assigned to the storage means be that their movements are made in directions that are different from the trajectory the gripping device differ, preferably at about a right angle thereto run. It is also conceivable, unbalance drives or other vibration generator to combine with jerky and / or periodically driven moving means.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung nach einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung mit einem sich in einer Beladestellung befindlichen Zwischenspeicher,

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung der Fig. 1 mit dem sich in einer Entladestellung befindlichen Zwischenspeicher,

Fig. 3

eine Vorrichtung nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 4

eine Vorrichtung nach einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, und

Fig. 5

eine Vorrichtung nach einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1

a device according to a first embodiment of the invention with a located in a loading position buffer,

Fig. 2

1 with the buffer located in an unloading position,

Fig. 3

a device according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4

a device according to a third embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 5

a device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

The devices shown serve in particular to one of example a washing machine coming laundry heap automatically individual laundry refer to. The individual pieces of laundry thus separated are subsequently a further processing in the laundry area fed, especially in a defect entered.

The laundry pile from a variety of still wet laundry is about a suitable conveyor of the device supplied, in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 in a buffer 36. From this enters the laundry pile in the Area of a hopper forming funnel 35. The laundry pile receives in the hopper 35 a defined position, the gripping of laundry items from the Laundry heap relieved.

The funnel 35 is associated with a framework 17. At an upper cross-beam 18 of the framework 17, a lifting member is mounted, in which it is shown in FIG Embodiment is a pressure medium cylinder 19. A cylinder 20 of the pressure cylinder 19 is fixedly connected to the cross-beam 18 and protrudes from the Frame structure 17 pointing upwards. A piston rod 21 of the pressure cylinder 19 is opposite to the cross-beam 18 on a vertical axis of movement 22 einund extendable. At the free lower end of the piston rod 21 is a gripping member attached, which is a gripper 23 here. The length of the Piston rod 21 is dimensioned such that in the fully extended state of the same the gripper 23 is lowered so far in the frame structure 17, that he out of the Laundry pile 10 in the hopper 35 preferably a piece of laundry at any Can take place. In the retracted state of the pressure cylinder 19 is located the end of the piston rod 21 with the gripper 23 slightly below the Crossbar 18, whereby the respective laundry partially from the laundry pile pulled out.

Between the funnel 35 and the cross-beam 18 of the framework 17 is a Transfer means 24 arranged. In the embodiment shown is the Transfer means 24 at a distance below the maximum raised gripper 23rd The transfer means 24 is composed in the device shown here together a pivotable conveyor 25 and a pinch roller 26. The pivotable conveyor 25 is in an initial position in which it is in a vertical position is pivoted, on one side of the movement axis 22 of the gripper 23. The pressure roller 26 is assigned to the opposite side of the movement axis 22. In a in a final position pivoted position is the pivotable conveyor 25 in a horizontal and thereby cuts the axis of movement 22 approximately perpendicular. there is the stationary pinch roller 26 with a slight distance from one Deflection drum 27 at the free end 28 of the pivotable conveyor 25 to form a narrow gap 29 between the pinch roller 26 and the tail pulley 27 and the Upper strand 30 of the pivotable conveyor 25.

The pivotable conveyor 25 is a belt conveyor whose circulating conveyor belt around the tail pulley 27 and one of them opposite Drive drum 31 is deflected. The tail pulley 27 and the drive drum 31 are rotatably mounted on a support frame, not shown. The drive drum 31 is associated with a drive, not shown. A horizontal axis of rotation 32 of Drive drum 31 is at the same time the axis of rotation of the entire pivotable conveyor 25, so that the pivotable conveyor 25 about the drive drum 31 from the vertical aligned starting position in the approximately horizontal end position is pivotable. For pivoting the conveyor 25 is preferably a not shown pressure medium cylinder, on the one hand on the frame framework 17 and on the other hand on the support frame the conveyor 25 approximately between the drive drum 31 and the tail pulley 27th is articulated.

The stationary on the pivotable conveyor 25 opposite side of the Movement axis 22 of the gripper 23 arranged pressure roller 26 is preferably free rotatable, so has no own drive. The pinch roller 26 is rotated offset when passing through the gap 29 between the pinch roller 26 and the free end 28 of the pivotable conveyor 25 a piece of laundry from the upper run 30 of the circulating driven conveyor belt of the conveyor 25 is pulled through.

From the pivotable conveyor 25 is the respective separated laundry over the Obertum 30 away at the deflection drum 27 in the region of the gap 29 opposite Side of the drive drum 31 conveyed onto a discharge conveyor 33. This Abförderer 33 is with slight overlap below the pivoting conveyor 25 arranged, preferably such that a deflection drum 34 of the discharge conveyor 33rd approximately vertically below the drive drum 31 of the pivotable conveyor 25 is located. The discharge conveyor 33 transports the separated items of laundry away from the device for example, an input machine from a defect. Likewise, the discharge conveyor 33 the separated laundry items to another treatment facility within to transport the laundry.

The gripper 23 is associated with non-contact signaling means, not shown. The Signal means detect whether a piece of laundry hangs on the gripper 23. This detection takes place just above the laundry pile in the hopper 35 and in the maximum booted Position of the gripper 23. In addition, the upper strand 30 of the pivotable Conveyor 25 associated with a signaling means, preferably shortly before Drive drum 31 is located. This signal means indicates how far the leading edge of the respective item of laundry on the upper strand 30 of the pivotable conveyor 25th is raised. Likewise, the pivot position of the conveyor 25 can be detected.

As a discharge conveyor is in the apparatus shown here (Fig. 1 and 2) an obliquely directed Slide 37 provided, about which the individual items of laundry from the swivel Conveyor 25 to reach in Figs. 1 and 2, not shown downstream conveyor.

The buffer 36 is laterally above the funnel 35 under the gripper 23rd arranged, in such a way that it aufund the function of the pressure medium cylinder 19 and movable gripper 23 and the transfer means 24 is not affected. Of the Buffer 36 is pivotable about a horizontal tilting axis on the frame framework 17 stored. These are opposite side walls 38 of the buffer Assigned 36 associated with the frame 17 bearings 39 associated. The the Tilting axis of the buffer 36 forming bearing 39 are located approximately on one Area center of the respective side wall 38. This is the cache 36 pivotable about a horizontal longitudinal central axis.

At a lower, outer corner region of at least one side wall 38 is a End, in particular a piston rod end 40, a pressure medium cylinder 41 hinged. An opposite piston end 42 of the pressure medium cylinder 41 is on Frame framework 17 articulated. Alternatively, it is also conceivable, each side wall 38th to assign a pressure medium cylinder 41. By synchronous retraction and extension of both Pressure medium cylinder 41, the latch 36 is then pivoted.

When retracted pressure cylinder 41, the latch 36 is in a Loading position (Fig. 1). In this position, laundry items from above into the buffer 36 einförderbar. When extended pressure cylinder 41 is the Latch 36 in a discharge position (Fig. 2). In this can the laundry items from the buffer 36 automatically, namely directly from the buffer 36 enter the funnel 35. For this purpose, the buffer 36 is the funnel 35 assigned so that it is laterally above the funnel 35.

The buffer 36 has two between the parallel side walls 38 extending (flat) walls 43 and 44. These walls 43 and 44 are indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 by thick lines. In particular from FIG. 1 it can be seen that the walls 43, 44 at an angle of less than 90 ° to each other and thereby in the loading position (Fig. 1) downwards are closed. A the walls 43, 44 opposite side of the cache 36 is open. This allows the latch 36 in the loading of to be filled at the top with items to be separated. In that shown in FIG. 2 Unloading is the latch 36 by almost 90 ° to the through the bearings 39 formed tilting axis pivots, whereby the wall 44 horizontally directed a Top of the latch 36 forms and the adjoining wall 43rd about a wall (in Figs. 1 and 2, the right wall) of the funnel 35 is extended, so is directed diagonally downwards. The open side of the buffer 36 now points down so that the laundry items from the latch 36 automatically can slip into the funnel 35. By a subsequent swinging back in the position shown in FIG. 1, the latch 36 is ready for Inclusion of new items of laundry.

Fig. 3 shows a device which differs from the device of Figs. 1 and 2 only differs by the formation of the storage means under the gripper 23. The Stocking means is formed here as a shape-changeable bag 45. Of the Sack 45 is made of a flexible material, such as a fabric. At least two opposite edges of a horizontal peripheral edge 46 of the Sacks 45 are attached to horizontal support rods 47. The support rods 47 are up and moved on the frame framework 17, namely vertical support same, out. Furthermore, each support bar 47 is two parallel, vertically oriented pressure cylinder 46 assigned. The pressure cylinder 46 are on the one hand on the respective support rod 47 and on the other hand attached to the lower end of the frame 17. By the Pressure medium cylinder 48, each support rod 47 aufund with the hanging bag 45 underneath movable up. The bag 45 is formed so that when fully lowered Support rods 47, so with retracted pressure medium cylinders 48, a bottom wall 49th of the bag mostly on a horizontal support 50 at the bottom of the framework 17 rests. In this in Fig. 3 shown by solid lines Position, the bottom wall 49 of the bag 45 is formed relatively flat, whereby the Sack 45 a maximum amount of laundry or the like record can.

If the bag 45 is moved upwards by the pressure medium cylinders 48 on the support rods 47 the dashed in Fig. 3 position, the contact of the bottom wall 49 of the bag 45 to the edition 50 completely or largely canceled. This gives the flexible trained bag 45, in particular the bottom wall 49 of the same, a strong funnel-shaped, whereby the laundry items, in particular remaining laundry items, slip to the lowest point of the bag 45. This lowest point of the bag 45 corresponds the middle of it. As a result, when the bag 45 is raised to the deep center the same slipping laundry from approximately centrally above the gripper 23rd reliably tangible.

The slipping of individual laundry items in the lowest, lower part of the lifted bag 45 can be assisted by a jerky or interrupted Extending the pressure cylinder 48. The bag 45 is characterized during the Lifting, whereby it receives an increasingly funnel-shaped shape, in addition shaken. The laundry items can thereby reliably to the deepest, central Area of the bottom wall 49 of the bag 45 reach.

It is also conceivable, alternatively or additionally vibration generator, for example Unbalance drives, the bag 45, in particular the support rods 47, assign, the one cause periodic shaking or swinging of the bag 45.

Fig. 4 shows a device that of the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3 thereby deviates that a container 51 is provided which receives the laundry items. Of the Container 51 is in a frame on the frame 17 fixedly arranged receiving frame 52nd hooked. The receiving frame 52 is configured to hold the container 51 both in the horizontal direction can reciprocate according to the horizontal arrows of Fig. 4. In addition, the receiving frame 52 allows an up and down movement of the container 51 in the direction of the vertical double arrow in Fig. 4. By the both vertical as well as horizontal movement possibility of the container 51 under the Gripper 23, it is possible to any points of the container 51 under the gripper 23 to drive, whereby this can take the last items of laundry in the container 51, and even those items of laundry that are in an outer corner of the container 51st are located.

Fig. 5 shows a device, the device of Figs. 1 and 2 substantially equivalent. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts. The Stocking means is in the apparatus of Fig. 5 different from the device of Fig. 1 and 2 designed as Rütteltrichter 53.

The Rütteltrichter 53 is four steering rods 54 on the frame structure 17, namely crossbeams 55 of the same, hinged. The vertical in their undeflected position Handlebars 54 pivot freely with lower ends at the upper edge region of the Rütteltrichters 53 with upper ends of the crossbars 55 at. By storage the Rütteltrichters 57 to the vertical handlebars 54 is the Rütteltrichter 53 in the Essentially horizontal direction pendulum-like back and forth, on an approximately horizontal trajectory, the double arrow 56 in FIG. 5th is indicated. This trajectory is transverse in the embodiment shown to the movement axis 22 of the gripper 23rd

The vibrating funnel 53 is moved by a linear drive, in which it is in the shown embodiment is a pressure medium cylinder 57. Preferably the pressure medium cylinder 57 is actuated with compressed air. As a result, are quick, jerky Linear movements possible, the periodic movements of the Rütteltrichters 53 on the Make path of the double arrow 56, whereby the laundry items in Rütteltrichter 53rd to be shaken or shaken jerkily. The pressure medium cylinder 57 is connected to a Piston part fixed to the frame 17. One end of a piston rod 58 of the Pressure medium cylinder 57 is pivotally connected to a tab 59 below the Rütteltrichter 53. By retracting and extending the Durckmittelzylinders 57 of the Rütteltrichter 53rd guided by the vertical handlebars 54 on the by the double arrow 56th indicated movement path transversely to the axis of movement 22 of the gripper 23 back and reciprocated. The Rütteltrichter 53 leads in this way oscillating movements opposite the gripper 23, which by corresponding drive of the pressure medium cylinder 57 more or less jerky, whereby the last Items of laundry in the vibrating funnel 53 to slip to its lowest, middle position and thus can be reliably removed from the gripper 23 from the Rütteltrichter 53.

List of reference numbers :

17

Supporting framework

18

crossbeam

19

Pressure cylinder

20

cylinder

21

piston rod

22

motion axis

23

grab

24

over means

25

swiveling conveyor

26

pinch

27

Umlenktrommel

28

free end

30

obertrum

31

driving drum

32

axis of rotation

35

funnel

36

cache

37

slide

38

sidewall

39

camp

40

Rod End

41

Pressure cylinder

42

piston end

43

wall

44

wall

45

bag

46

edge

47

bearing bar

48

Pressure cylinder

49

bottom wall

50

edition

51

container

52

mounting frame

53

vibrating hopper

54

handlebars

55

crossbeam

56

double arrow

57

Pressure cylinder

58

piston rod

59

flap

Claims (8)

1. Device for grasping and preferably separating items of laundry or the like, having a gripping device (23) for grasping preferably individual items of laundry from a pile of laundry or the like, and having a storage means (35, 45, 51, 53) for the items of laundry of the pile of laundry, characterized in that the storage means (35, 45, 51, 53) is assigned at least one intermediate store (36).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate store (36) can be pivoted from a loading position into an unloading position and back.
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate store (36) is arranged upstream of the storage means (35, 45, 51, 53) in such a manner that, in the unloading position of the intermediate store (36), the items of laundry enter automatically into the storage means (35, 45, 51, 53).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape of the storage means (35, 45, 51, 53) can be changed.
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage means (35, 45, 51, 53) has at least one flexible wall, in particular is designed as a sack (45).
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage means (35, 45, 51, 53) can be moved up and down, and the storage means is preferably assigned a support (50) on which at least a lower part of the storage means rests in its lowered position.
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage means (35, 45, 51, 53) can be set at least temporarily into vibration or jiggling or shaking movements.
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the jiggling or shaking movements of the storage means (35, 45, 51, 53) take place in a direction which differs from the path of movement of the gripping device and preferably intersects the path of movement and right angle.

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